Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell gestures as he speaks about his youth program platform to the Women's City Club at First Unitarian Church Thursday February 13, 2014 in Corryville.

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Since his election, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has repeatedly called public safety his top priority, announcing intentions to dedicate more money and increase staffing in both the police and fire departments.

"Code zeros" - the police code for instances when someone calls 911 for help but no officer is available to respond - are on the rise, Cranley has said, and they, along with a rising homicide rate, legitimize a plan to hire 75-80 more police officers in the coming year at an estimated cost of $5.4 million for recruitment and training alone - even as the most recent budget deficit ...